Tasted masked veterinary solid compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the supply and production of an animal medicine consisting of a substrate in pellet or tablet form, which is attractive to livestock and domestic animals, in which fine-grained particles of a neutral-tasting, physiologically compatible, solid carrier material are embedded, which is characterised in that said fine-grained particles of carrier material have an average diameter of 0.09 to 0.8 mm and are coated with an active substance from veterinary medicine, and said active substance layer is covered with a protective layer of a physiologically compatible polymer matrix, and to the production of this animal medicine. It also relates to the usage of said double-coated, fine-grained particles of carrier material in the production of a preparation for veterinary medicine.

The present invention relates to the preparation of an animal medicine in an application form, which contains the active ingredient in a stabilised form that masks the taste, and which is readily taken orally by an animal. The present invention is concerned in particular with those embodiments that contain bitter, bad-tasting active ingredients or those which are unpleasant for the animal in another respect.

While, in humans, medicaments may be administered in a wide variety of application forms, such as tablets, coated tablets, emulsions, injection solutions, suppositories and the like, because the discipline and the desire to recover in human patients can be relied upon, in the case of animals practical problems are soon encountered, since a few application forms, such as the usage of suppositories, either have to be dispensed with all together or other forms, such as injections, must only be carried out by the veterinarian.

In general, humans do not like to visit the doctor. Since the animals concerned are domestic animals or productive livestock, the animal keeper prefers to use those treatment methods that he can carry out himself without a veterinarian. Among the preferred treatment methods, which an animal keeper can carry out himself, e.g. following the veterinarian's instructions, is the oral administration of medicaments.

Treating humans with medicines is generally not problematic, because the human patient follows the advice of the doctor or reads the directions on the leaflet in the pack and complies with them since this is in his own interest, and because the manufacturer usually prepares the tablet, capsule or coated tablet in a form which is appropriate for oral consumption and has been tailored for human patients.

As soon as a pharmaceutical active ingredient has a taste which is unpleasant to the animal, whether because it is bitter or has some other unpleasant taste or is simply alien to the animal, the animal refuses to take it orally. This inborn behaviour occurs to varying degrees among the different species of animals, and essentially depends on their conventional eating habits. Unfortunately, only a few active ingredients have a neutral taste, so that the problem being discussed here is almost always present.

In the case of a human patient, an unpleasant tasting active ingredient can be masked relatively easily, e.g. by coating it with a neutral-tasting or sweet layer. Everybody has come across gelatin capsules or tablets coated with sugar or lacquer at some time or other. It is easy to instruct the human patient to take the preparation without chewing.

An animal must have a natural willingness to take a medicinal preparation orally. Of course, an individual animal or a few animals can also be forced to take a medicament, by making it swallow or by injecting it. However, such forced methods are unacceptable to large animal operations, as they are labour-intensive, require the veterinarian in every individual case and ultimately lead to high costs, which in view of the current struggles for competition, cannot be passed onto meat or milk consumers. Therefore, when keeping animals on a large scale, simple and safe application forms are required, which, after diagnosis and indication by the veterinarian, can be given as independently as possible or even fully automatically, and which keep costs down to a tolerable amount.

One method which carries weight under these circumstances is the precisely dosed administration of animal medicines in the form of dry animal feed, so-called feed pellets or feed tablets into which the animal medicine has been incorporated. The term “feed” here is not restricted exclusively to substances which would normally be described as feed, but also to nutritional additives, e.g. yeast, starch, various types of sugar, etc.

Nowadays, domestic animals and productive livestock, e.g. pigs, also cattle, sheep and poultry, are often kept in animal housing which is equipped with the most modern, fully automatic feeding installations. In these, the fodder is apportioned fully automatically in accordance with the age and weight of the animal, and is transported to each animal at quite specific times of day and in daily amounts, and is either placed on its own in the trough or is mixed with the usual feed ration.

In such fully automated plants, the much-discussed feed pellets are used. The feed in question is compressed, highly compacted energy feed on a vegetable and/or animal basis, which may be enriched with additives such as proteins, vitamins and minerals. These feed pellets are no more than artificial, free-flowing, round or oblong grains, balls or even rod-shaped objects, depending on the manufacturing process, of a uniform size tailored to the species and age of the animals, which may have an average cross-section from a few millimetres for poultry to ca. one centimetre for adult pigs and cattle. Feed pellets are prepared by commercial fodder mills by grinding the organic starting material, mixing the components in the desired composition and finally compressing into pellets, then filled into sacks and delivered to the animal keeper, who fills and dispenses them into the distribution plant. An important advantage of these pellets is their simple handling which is a result of their uniformity, their fluidity and their stability in storage. They can be easily filled and dispensed, transported via conveyor belts or pipelines and administered to each animal in a precisely proportioned amount, all fully automatically. In addition, pellets take up significantly less space than fresh feed and, in particular, are eaten willingly and without problems by the animals, provided that they do not contain components which are found to be unpleasant or repulsive by the animal's sense of taste and smell.

There is therefore the possibility of adding to these pellets not only proteins and other vital substances such as vitamins and minerals, but also animal medicines when needed. In practice, this is already being carried out, but the depicted acceptance problems in the case of unpleasant tasting or unpleasant smelling active ingredients as discussed above are encountered.

In addition, there are stability problems when manufacturing feed pellets. In conventional production processes for feed pellets, dry organic starting material of animal or vegetable origin is ground, mixed thoroughly with the particles which are masked according to the invention and optionally with further additives, vitamins or trace elements, etc., i.e. substantially homogenised and then moistened with ca. 5 to 10 percent by weight water and compressed into pellets at elevated temperatures of ca. 80 to 100° C., preferably 60 to 90° C., under a pressure of ca. 1 to 100 kbar. The retention time in the press is ca. 5 to 180 seconds, preferably 10 to 90 seconds, and depends inter alia on the size of the pellets.

While many active ingredients which can be used in veterinary medicine withstand these temperatures quite well in pure form and can even be stored at room temperature for months and years without any measurable loss of activity, many of them decompose relatively quickly under pressure and when in intimate contact with animal or vegetable fodder fibres and at the prevailing temperature of 80 to 100° C. Contact with the fibres appears to catalyst the decomposition process. Even if the phase involving the raised pressure and elevated temperature are kept as short as is technically possible, and the finished pellets are immediately cooled to room temperature directly after the compression process, about one quarter to one third of the active ingredient is still lost. The decomposed products usually do not have any adverse effects on the treated animals, but the unavoidable loss of active ingredient must without doubt lead to a considerable increase in cost of the end product, since a substantially higher quantity has to be used.

This relative instability has also led to the fact that exact dosaging of the active ingredient in the form of feed pellets could only be previously ensured for ca. 4 to 6 weeks after production of the pellet. Therefore, the animal keepers were forced to use only relatively freshly produced pellets. They could not pursue meaningful long-term storage and had to place a new production request with the feed mills every four to six weeks, so that fresh fodder with a guaranteed content of antibiotics would be available to them. Though technically feasible, there is a high degree of logistics involved and means that the feed mills always have to produce small orders which do not necessarily suit their production programme, leading to unpleasant waiting times and especially to additional expense of the pellets.

In the present invention, the technical problems depicted in connection with feed pellets can be very easily resolved and pellets can be prepared, which are taken orally by the animals without problems.

When reviewing the administration of capsules and coated tablets to animals, it has been shown that these application forms are rather unsuitable for animal medicine, since in the case of herd animals they can only be used in a controlled manner with considerable effort on a daily basis, and in the case of pets, such as dogs and cats, lead to particular acceptance problems. The eating habits of animals generally play a decisive role when using oral application forms.

In the case of dogs, it has been observed that they gnaw at solid food, e.g. on bones, and gulp down other food, either in the form of large scraps or wet formulated food, almost unchewed. If a tablet or coated tablet is mixed with the wet formulated feed, very different results are obtained. In a few cases, the tablet is not noticed by the dog at all and is simply gulped down, and in other cases it remains uneaten in the dog bowl. In contrast to dogs, cats are considerably more fastidious in their eating habits. Only in the rarest cases can a tablet or coated tablet be mixed with the formulated food, without them noticing it immediately and rejecting it. Although cats also to not exactly chew their food, they generally break it down with a few small bites. They thereby damage the protective coating of a tablet or capsule and release the unpleasant tasting active ingredient. Attempts to mix the active ingredient directly with the feed likewise fail, because either the degree of dilution is insufficient to neutralise the unpleasant taste or the active ingredient breaks down too rapidly when in contact with the feed. For the same reasons, mixtures of feed, active ingredient and excipients, which stimulate the appetite of dogs and cats, similarly do not have a successful outcome with cats. Excipients which stimulate the appetite can be used per se for dogs and cats, for example natural and artificial cheese, meat and fish flavourings or flavour enhancers known from the foodstuff industry. However, whereas the test animals rush eagerly to a placebo which has a corresponding appetite stimulant, i.e. a tablet consisting of feed, flavouring and other excipients, but no active ingredient, the test animals reject the same combination as soon as active ingredient is added. Clearly, a different technical solution must be found to the existing problem with animals.

In the present invention, benazepril has been selected as the model active ingredient. As is known, benazepril has an extremely bitter taste and is not willingly taken orally by pigs, dogs and in particular cats. Benazepril is the chemical substance [S—(R*,R*)]-3-[[1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl]amino]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-1H-1-benzazepin-1-acetic acid with the CAS registration number [86541-75-5].

Benazepril has the following chemical structure:

For medicinal purposes, this substance is usually used in the form of the hydrochloride, as it is in the present case. Benazepril is known from EP-0,072,352, and is used in animal medicine under the name FORTEKOR®, especially in the form of tablets, to treat cardiac and renal insufficiency.

It goes without saying that benazepril only represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is only intended to illustrate the invention by way of an application example. Of course, any other active ingredient which is suitable for animals can be administered according to the invention, but especially those active ingredients that have the taste disadvantages mentioned initially and are therefore not willingly taken orally by animals. Basically, a diversity of individual active ingredients or mixtures of active ingredients may be considered, e.g. those acting against external or internal parasites or active ingredients acting against viral or bacterial diseases, active ingredients acting against behavioural disorders, active ingredients acting against dysfunction, such as hypo- or hyper-activity, and the like. External parasites are understood in this case to be parasites which normally live on the animal, e.g. biting insects, such as mosquitos, fleas or lice, or members of the order Acarina, e.g. mites or ticks. The internal parasites include all species of worm infestation and bacterial diseases, in particular those infections that infest the organs or parts of the body designated as being preferred, such as the lungs, heart, alimentary tract or extremities, or which spread through the whole organism. Substances which can be used for these diseases are e.g. avermectins, milbemycins and derivatives thereof, such as ivermectin, selamectin, doramectin, moxidectin, nemadectin, abamectin, cydectin, milbemycinoxim, and also praziquantel, pyrantel, triclabendazol, and many more. Antimicrobial active ingredients are suitable, e.g. various penicillins, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, cephalosporins, cephamycins, aminoglucosids, trimethoprim, dimetridazoles, erythromycin, framycetin, fruazolidone, thiamulin, valnemulin, various macrolides, streptomycin and substances acting against protozoa, e.g. clopidol, salinomycin, monensin, halofuginone, narasin, robenidine, etc. Behavioural disorders include e.g. separation worry or travel sickness of dogs and cats. By dysfunction or hypo-activity are understood functions which deviate from the norm, whether through inborn or acquired damage to individual organs or tissue. This complex also includes rheumatic diseases, pathological changes to joints, bones or internal organs, and much more.

Biocides that may be used according to the invention, e.g. those named below, have been known to specialists for a long time. They include insecticides and acaricides with a varying mechanism of activity, e.g. chitin synthesis inhibitors, growth regulators; active ingredients which act as juvenile hormones; active ingredients which act as adulticides; and similarly, broad-band insecticides, broad-band acaricides. Nematicides may also be used according to the invention against helminthic infestations; and also the long-known anthelminthics and insect- and/or acarid-deterring substances.

Non-limitative examples of suitable insecticides and acaricides are:  1. Abamectin  2. AC 303 630  3. Acephat  4. Acrinathrin  5. Alanycarb  6. Aldicarb  7. alpha-Cypermethrin  8. Alphamethrin  9. Amitraz  10. Avermectin B₁  11. AZ 60541  12. Azinphos A  13. Azinphos M  14. Azinphos-methyl  15. Azocyclotin  16. Bacillus subtil. toxin  17. Bendiocarb  18. Benfuracarb  19. Bensultap  20. Cyfluthrin  21. Bifenthrin  22. BPMC  23. Brofenprox  24. Bromophos A  25. Bufencarb  26. Buprofezin  27. Butocarboxin  28. Butylpyridaben  29. Cadusafos  30. Carbaryl  31. Carbofuran  32. Carbophenthion  33. Cartap  34. Chloethocarb  35. Chlorethoxyfos  36. Chlorfenapyr  37. Chlorfluazuron  38. Chlormephos  39. Chlorpyrifos  40. Cis-Resmethrin  41. Clocythrin  42. Clofentezin  43. Cyanophos  44. Cycloprothrin  45. Cyfluthrin  46. Cyhexatin  47. D 2341  48. Deltamethrin  49. Demeton M  50. Demeton S  51. Demeton-S-methyl  52. Dibutylaminothio  53. Dichlofenthion  54. Dicliphos  55. Diethion  56. Diflubenzuron  57. Dimethoat  58. Dimethylvinphos  59. Dioxathion  60. DPX-MP062  61. Edifenphos  62. Emamectin  63. Endosulfan  64. Esfenvalerat  65. Ethiofencarb  66. Ethion  67. Ethofenprox  68. Ethoprophos  69. Etrimphos  70. Fenamiphos  71. Fenazaquin  72. Fenbutatinoxid  73. Fenitrothion  74. Fenobucarb  75. Fenothiocarb  76. Fenoxycarb  77. Fenpropathrin  78. Fenpyrad  79. Fenpyroximate  80. Fenthion  81. Fenvalerate  82. Fipronil  83. Fluazinam  84. Fluazuron  85. Flucycloxuron  86. Flucythrinat  87. Flufenoxuron  88. Flufenprox  89. Fonophos  90. Formothion  91. Fosthiazat  92. Fubfenprox  93. HCH  94. Heptenophos  95. Hexaflumuron  96. Hexythiazox  97. Hydroprene  98. Imidacloprid  99. insect-active     fungi 100. insect-active     nematodes 101. insect-active     viruses 102. Iprobenfos 103. Isofenphos 104. Isoprocarb 105. Isoxathion 106. Ivermectin 107. Cyhalothrin 108. Lufenuron 109. Malathion 110. Mecarbam 111. Mesulfenphos 112. Metaldehyd 113. Methamidophos 114. Methiocarb 115. Methomyl 116. Methoprene 117. Metolcarb 118. Mevinphos 119. Milbemectin 120. Moxidectin 121. Naled 122. NC 184 123. NI-25, Acetamiprid 124. Nitenpyram 125. Omethoat 126. Oxamyl 127. Oxydemethon M 128. Oxydeprofos 129. Parathion 130. Parathion-methyl 131. Permethrin 132. Phenthoat 133. Phorat 134. Phosalone 135. Phosmet 136. Phoxim 137. Pirimicarb 138. Pirimiphos A 139. Pirimiphos M 140. Promecarb 141. Propaphos 142. Propoxur 143. Prothiofos 144. Prothoat 145. Pyrachlophos 146. Pyradaphenthion 147. Pyresmethrin 148. Pyrethrum 149. Pyridaben 150. Pyrimidifen 151. Pyriproxyfen 152. RH 5992 153. RH-2485 154. Salithion 155. Sebufos 156. Silafluofen 157. Spinosad 158. Sulfotep 159. Sulprofos 160. Tebufenozide 161. Tebufenpyrad 162. Tebupirimphos 163. Teflubenzuron 164. Tefluthrin 165. Temephos 166. Terbam 167. Terbufos 168. Tetrachlorvinphos 169. Thiafenox 170. Thiodicarb 171. Thiofanox 172. Thionazin 173. Thuringiensin 174. Tralomethrin 175. Triarthen 176. Triazamate 177. Triazophos 178. Triazuron 179. Trichlorfon 180. Triflumuron 181. Trimethacarb 182. Vamidothion 183. XMC (3,5,-Xylyl-     methyl     carbamate) 184. Xylylcarb 185. YI 5301/5302 186. alpha-Cypermethrin 187. Zetamethrin Non-limitative examples of suitable anthelminthics are named in the following, a few representatives have insecticidal and acaricidal activity in addition to the anthelminthic activity, and are partly already in the above list. (A1) Praziquantel = 2-cyclohexylcarbonyl-4-oxo-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-α]isoquinoline (A2) Closantel = 3,5-diiodo-N-[5-chloro-2-methyl-4-(a-cyano-4-clorobenzyl)phenyl]-salicylamide (A3) Triclabendazole = 5-chloro-6-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-2-methylthio-1H-benzimidazole (A4) Levamisol = L-(−)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1b]thiazole (A5) Mebendazole = (5-benzoyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)carbaminic acid methylester (A6) Omphalotin = a macrocyclic fermentation product of the fungus Omphalotus olearius described in WO 97/20857 (A7) Abamectin = avermectin B1 (A8) Ivermectin = 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1 (A9) Moxidectin = 5-O-demethyl-28-deoxy-25-(1,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl)-6,28-epoxy-23-(methoxyimino)-milbemycin B (A10) Doramectin = 25-cyclohexyl-5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-methylpropyl)-avermectin A1a (A11) Milbemectin = mixture of milbemycin A3 and milbemycin A4 (A12) Milbemycinoxim = 5-oxime of milbemectin

The said substances are best known to specialists in this field. Most are described in various editions of the Pesticide Manual, The British Crop Protection Council, London, and others in the various editions of The Merck Index, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA or in patent literature. Therefore, the following listing is restricted to a few places where they may be found by way of example.

-   (I) 2-Methyl-2-(methylthio)propionaldehyde-O-methylcarbamoyloxime     (Aldicarb), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th) Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 26; -   (II)     S—(3,4-dihydro-4-oxobenzo[d]-[1,2,3]-triazin-3-ylmethyl)O,O-dimethyl-phosphorodithioate     (Azinphos-methyl), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 67; -   (III)     Ethyl-N-[2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yloxycarbonyl-(methyl)aminothio]-N-isopropyl-β-alaninate     (Benfuracarb), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 96; -   (IV)     2-Methylbiphenyl-3-ylmethyl-(Z)-(1RS)-cis-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Bifenthrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 118; -   (V) 2-tert-butylimino-3-isopropyl-5-phenyl-1,3,5-thiadiazian-4-one     (Buprofezin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 157; -   (VI) 2,3-Dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl-methylcarbamate     (Carbofuran), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 186; -   (VII)     2,3-Dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl-(dibutylaminothio)methylcarbamate     (Carbosulfan), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 188; -   (VIII) S,S′-(2-dimethylaminotrimethylene)-bis(thiocarbamate)     (Cartap), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British     Crop Protection Council, London, page 193; -   (IX)     1-[3,5-Dichloro-4-(3-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-2-pyridyloxy)phenyl]-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)-urea     (Chlorfluazuron), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 213; -   (X) O,O-diethyl-O-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl-phosphorothioate     (Chlorpyrifos), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 235; -   (XI) (RS)-α-cyano-4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl-(1RS,3RS;     1RS,3RS)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-di-methylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Cyfluthrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 293; -   (XII) Mixture of     (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(Z)-(1R,3R)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     and     (R)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(Z)-(1R,3R)-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Lambda-Cyhalothrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 300; -   (XIII) Racemate consisting of     (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(Z)-(1R,3R)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     and     (R)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(1S,3S)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Alpha-cypermethrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 308; -   (XIV) a mixture of the stereoisomers of (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl     (1RS,3RS,1RS,3RS)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (zeta-Cypermethrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 314; -   (XV)     (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(1R,3R)-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (Deltamethrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 344; -   (XVI) (4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea (Diflubenzuron),     from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop     Protection Council, London, page 395; -   (XVII)     (1,4,5,6,7,7-Hexachloro-8,9,10-trinorborn-5-en-2,3-ylenebismethylene)-sulphite     (Endosulfan), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 459; -   (XVIII) α-ethylthio-o-tolyl-methylcarbamate (Ethiofencarb), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 479; -   (XIX) O,O-dimethyl-O-4-nitro-m-tolyl-phosphorothioate     (Fenitrothion), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 514; -   (XX) 2-sec-butylphenyl-methylcarbamate (Fenobucarb), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 516; -   (XXI)     (RS)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate     (Fenvalerate), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 539; -   (XXII)     S-[formyl(methyl)carbamoylmethyl]-O,O-dimethyl-phosphorodithioate     (Formothion), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 625; -   (XXIII) 4-Methylthio-3,5-xylyl-methylcarbamate (Methiocarb), from     The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 813; -   (XXIV) 7-Chlorobicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-2,6-dien-6-yl-dimethylphosphate     (Heptenophos), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 670; -   (XXV) 1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylidenamine     (Imidacloprid), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 706; -   (XXVI) 2-isopropylphenyl-methylcarbamate (Isoprocarb), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 729; -   (XXVII) O,S-dimethyl-phosphoramidothioate (Methamidophos), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 808; -   (XXVIII) S-Methyl-N-(methylcarbamoyloxy)thioacetimidate (Methomyl),     from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop     Protection Council, London, page 815; -   (XXIX) Methyl-3-(dimethoxyphosphinoyloxy)but-2-enoate (Mevinphos),     from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop     Protection Council, London, page 844; -   (XXX) O,O-diethyl-O-4-nitrophenyl-phosphorothioate (Parathion), from     The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 926; -   (XXXI) O,O-dimethyl-O-4-nitrophenyl-phosphorothioate     (Parathion-methyl), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 928; -   (XXXII)     S-6-chloro-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1,3-benzoxazol-3-ylmethyl-O,O-diethyl-phosphordithioate     (Phosalone), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 963; -   (XXXIII) 2-Dimethylamino-5,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4yl-dimethylcarbamate     (Pirimicarb), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 985; -   (XXXIV) 2-isopropoxyphenyl-methylcarbamate (Propoxur), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 1036; -   (XXXV)     1-(3,5-dichloro-2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea     (Teflubenzuron), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1158; -   (XXXVI) S-tert-butylthiomethyl-O,O-dimethyl-phosphorodithioate     (Terbufos), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1165; -   (XXXVII)     ethyl-(3-tert.-butyl-1-dimethylcarbamoyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl-thio)-acetate,     (Triazamate), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1224; -   (XXXVIII) Abamectin, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 3; -   (XXXIX) 2-sec-butylphenyl-methylcarbamate (Fenobucarb), from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 516; -   (XL) N-tert.-butyl-N′-(4-ethylbenzoyl)-3,5-dimethylbenzohydrazide     (Tebufenozide), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1147; -   (XLI)     (±)-5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-sulphinylpyrazol-3-carbonitrile     (Fipronil), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 545; -   (XLII)     (RS)-α-cyano4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl(1RS,3RS;1RS,3RS)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate     (beta-Cyfluthrin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 295; -   (XLIII)     (4-ethoxyphenyl)-[3-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)propyl](dimethyl)silane     (Silafluofen), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1105; -   (XLIV) tert.-butyl     (E)-α-(1,3-dimethyl-5-phenoxypyrazol-4-yl-methylenamino-oxy)-p-toluate     (Fenpyroximate), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 530; -   (XLV)     2-tert.-butyl-5-(4-tert.-butylbenzylthio)-4-chloropyridazin-3(2H)-one     (Pyridaben), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1161; -   (XLVI) 4-[[4-(1,1-dimethylphenyl)phenyl]ethoxy]-quinazoline     (Fenazaquin), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 507; -   (XLVII) 4-phenoxyphenyl-(RS)-2-(pyridyloxy)propyl-ether     (Pyriproxyfen), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1073; -   (XLVIII)     5-chloro-N-{2-[4-(2-ethoxyethyl)-2,3-dimethylphenoxy]ethyl}6-ethylpyrimidine-4-amine     (Pyrimidifen), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1070; -   (XLIX)     (E)-N-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-ethyl-N′-methyl-2-nitrovinylidenediamine     (Nitenpyram), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 880; -   (L)     (E)-N¹-[(6-chloro-3-pyridyl)methyl]-N²-cyano-N¹-methylacetamidine     (NI-25, Acetamiprid), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 9; -   (LI) Avermectin B₁, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 3; -   (LII) an insect-active extract from a plant, especially     (2R,6aS,12aS)-1,2,6,6a,12,12a-hexhydro-2-isopropenyl-8,9-dimethoxy-chromeno[3,4-b]furo[2,3-h]chromen-6-one     (Rotenone), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1097; and an extract     from Azadirachta indica, especially azadirachtin, from The Pesticide     Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council,     London, page 59; and -   (LIII) a preparation which contains insect-active nematodes,     preferably Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis     megidis, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British     Crop Protection Council, London, page 671; Steinernema feltiae, from     The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 1115 and Steinernema scapterisci, from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 1116; -   (LIV) a preparation obtainable from Bacillus subtilis, from The     Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection     Council, London, page 72; or from a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis     with the exception of compounds isolated from GC91 or from     NCTC11821; The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop     Protection Council, London, page 73; -   (LV) a preparation which contains insect-active fungi, preferably     Verticillium lecanii, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997),     The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1266; Beauveria     brogniartii, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The     British Crop Protection Council, London, page 85 and Beauveria     bassiana, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British     Crop Protection Council, London, page 83; -   (LVI) a preparation which contains insect-active viruses, preferably     Neodipridon Sertifer NPV, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed.     (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1342;     Mamestra brassicae NPV, from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed.     (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 759 and     Cydia pomonella granulosis virus, from The Pesticide Manual,     11^(th)Ed. (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page     291; -   (CLXXXI)     7-chloro-2,3,4a,5-tetrahydro-2-[methoxycarbonyl(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-carbamoyl]indol[1,2e]oxazoline-4a-carboxylate     (DPX-MP062, Indoxycarb), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed.     (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 453; -   (CLXXXII)     N′-tert.-butyl-N′-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-3-methoxy-2-methylbenzohydrazide     (RH-2485, Methoxyfenozide), from The Pesticide Manual, 11^(th)Ed.     (1997), The British Crop Protection Council, London, page 1094; and -   (CLXXXIII) (N′-[4-methoxy-biphenyl-3-yl]-hydrazinecarboxylic acid     isopropylester (D 2341), from Brighton Crop Protection Conference,     1996, 487- 493; -   (R2) Book of Abstracts, 212th ACS National Meeting Orlando, Fla.,     Aug. 25-29 (1996), AGRO-020. Publisher: American Chemical Society,     Washington, D.C. CONEN: 63BFAF.

A diversity of compositions are known from the field of human medicine and veterinary medicine, which are intended to ease or simplify the oral consumption of active ingredients. A few of these compositions are suitable for human application, but cannot be used for animals, and others can also be used for animals if they are problem-free active ingredients, but they have significant failings if they are unpleasant tasting or smelling active ingredients. Some are other alternatives to the present invention, but do not meet with universal acceptance by all users. The following patent specifications are mentioned by way of example:

WO 95/31963 describes an oral anthelminthic dosage form for the active ingredient flubendazole. These are lozenges based on brewer's yeast, preferably for dogs. Here, in order to increase acceptance, the active ingredient is mixed intimately with the yeast and other formulation excipients and is pressed into tablets or granulates.

WO 01/35925 describes animal feed products which contain medicaments (medicated food). The active ingredient here is not mixed directly with the feed, but is in the form of small particles, which consist of a palatable matrix, into which the active ingredient is homogeneously dispersed. In addition, these particles are provided with a protective layer.

WO 01/37808 describes solid pharmaceutical dosage forms with an improved delivery of active ingredient. It consists essentially of particles provided with an outer layer. This outer layer contains the active ingredient and at least one hydrophilic surfactant. This application form should, in particular, improve the release of hydrophobic active ingredients.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,867 describes an oral dosage form for the active ingredient prednisone, which consists of gelatin capsules into which small palatable particles have been filled, the capsules being coated with the active ingredient and a protective layer consisting of a copolymer of dimethylaminoethyl and methyl methacrylate.

WO 01/49272 describes palatable dosage forms for animals, based on lipid. In this application, the active ingredient is micro-encapsulated and homogeneously embedded in a melt consisting of fat, a surfactant, a filler and other excipients, and is finally processed into particles of the desired size.

WO 97/25066 describes enteric oral dosage forms for proton blockers against heartburn in human medicine. The aim of this invention is to allow the active ingredient to pass unchanged to the stomach, in order to be released in the intestines. This dosage form consists of particles of neutral carrier material, which are coated with the proton blocker and in this way have a protective coating which is resistant to hydrochloric acid. These coated particles are mixed with conventional pharmaceutical formulation excipients, and pressed into tablets or granulates which are suitable for oral administration.

In the case of the present invention, the cat has been chosen as the model of a test animal, since it is particularly choosy and fastidious regarding its eating habits. However, random testing has shown that the animal medicinal forms according to the invention, which were willingly consumed orally by cats, are also fully accepted by dogs, pigs, chickens and other domestic animals and productive livestock.

For a long time, numerous attempts have been made to find solid food material, which is so attractive to practically all cats that the cat willingly and completely eats the offered portion, even if it contains a medicinal active ingredient.

In the case of yeast tablets, e.g. of brewer's yeast, such an attractive material has been found. Yeast with its high proportion of B vitamins already has per se a positive influence on the health care of animals' skin and fur, and it is eaten very willingly by all cats.

Yeast tablets for usage by humans and animals consist of dried, pressed and lysed yeast cells. This is often so-called brewer's yeast, which occurs in large quantities in beer breweries.

If these yeast cells are mixed with an extremely bitter active ingredient, such as benazepril or another unpleasant tasting active ingredient, prior to compressing into tablets, it is observed that the test cat first of all is curious about the tablet, as would be expected, but then quickly crunches it, spits it out and turns away in disgust.

If the test is repeated, the cat already approaches the yeast tablets with mistrust and spits out the yeast even more quickly. Further repeats lead to negative conditioning, so that the cat starts to avoid yeast in general, although the yeast was originally very attractive.

It is also of no use to coat the yeast tablet with a layer of neutral taste, since the yeast then loses its natural attraction and acceptance and is rejected by the cat from the start. It is then not even prepared to try out the placebo.

By simply mixing the active ingredient, clearly the problem has not been solved.

If the bitter active ingredient is firstly micro-encapsulated or embedded in particles consisting of a neutral matrix, e.g. modified starch, acceptance by individual cats is increased in the short term, but the long-term test likewise results in negative conditioning.

It has now surprisingly been found that, by combining a series of basically four relatively simple technical measures, the taste or acceptance problem of orally administering medicaments to animals can in fact be solved to full satisfaction. This application form thereby becomes safe and user-friendly.

The following measures are involved:

One starts with a neutral-tasting, physiologically compatible, solid, fine-grained carrier material, preferably small balls, granulates, grains, etc. For the sake of simplicity, this fine-grained carrier material is referred to hereinafter as particles.

Said particles are coated with the active ingredient, so that the active ingredient encases the particles.

This active ingredient casing is coated with a masking protective layer consisting of a physiologically compatible polymer matrix, which prevents direct contact of the active ingredient with the gustatory cells in the animal's mouth.

These particles prepared in this manner are intimately mixed with a substrate which is attractive to animals and pressed into tablets or pellets of a suitable size.

A deciding factor to animal acceptance is, however, the size of the coated particles. It has been shown that particles with a diameter above 0.8 mm do not lead to reproducible acceptance. In contrast, reliable results are achieved with diameters of less than 0.4 mm even with very choosy cats. A lower limit for the diameter is not indicated per se, since at best full acceptance can be achieved also with such small diameters. For manufacturing and cost reasons, the lower limit is ca. 0.09 mm.

The process for the production of such a palatable and thus attractive animal medicine is therefore characterised in particular in that:

-   -   (a) neutral-tasting, physiologically compatible, solid,         fine-grained particles with an average diameter of 0.09 to 0.8         mm, preferably 0.15 to 0.4 mm, are encased by the active         ingredient;     -   (b) this active ingredient casing is coated with a masking         protective layer consisting of a physiologically compatible         polymer matrix;     -   (c) these double-coated particles, namely firstly coated with         the active ingredient and then with the polymer matrix, and         therefore masked particles, are introduced into a         physiologically compatible substrate which is attractive to         animals; and     -   (d) the substrate-particle mixture is pressed into tablets or         pellets.

Suitable physiologically compatible carrier materials for producing the particles may be numerous solid formulation excipients, which are known from the production of pharmaceutical medicaments, e.g. cellulose, starch, saccharose, lactose or other different types of sugar.

In order to encase the particles, the generally solid active ingredient is conveniently dissolved in a suitable, physiologically acceptable solvent or solvent mixture, e.g. a low-boiling alcohol, or alcohol-water mixture, for example ethanol:water (1:1), and applied to the particles by a spraying process. Very many solvents are suitable. The readily volatile solvents are preferably selected. After the spraying procedure, the solvent or solvent mixture is removed, at best under careful conditions, e.g. in a vacuum.

These particles coated with active ingredient are not yet suitable for oral administration in this form and are now coated with a protective layer consisting of a physiologically compatible polymer matrix and are thus masked.

By ‘masked’ in connection with the present invention is understood screening of the active ingredient against the action of saliva and its constituents upon oral administration, and the protection of the active ingredient thereby obtained against contact with the gustatory and olfactory cells in the mouth, throat and nose of the animal. A masked active ingredient has neutral behaviour, i.e. a neutral taste and smell.

Polymers which are suitable for masking have been known for a long time in the production of medicaments. Suitable classes of polymer are e.g. those selected from the group consisting of: shellac, a polymer on a cellulose, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, maleic acid anhydride, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol basis. The shellac in question is often used to coat coated tablets. However, other polymers may also be considered, e.g. polymers on a cellulose basis, which are produced for example from cellulose acetate phthalate or cellulose acetate-N,N-di-n-butylhydroxypropylether. The starting materials for polymers on an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid basis may be e.g. methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, 2-methyl-5-vinyl-pyridine/methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, methyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, methyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, methyl methacrylate/maleic acid anhydride copolymer or methyl methacrylate/maleic acid anhydride copolymer.

Suitable starting materials for polymers on a maleic acid anhydride basis are e.g. vinyl-methylether/maleic acid anhydride copolymer or styrene/maleic acid anhydride copolymer. Polymers on an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid basis are most preferred as a casing for the microspheres in the context of the present invention. It is best to use commercial products for their production. These are polymerisation products of acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters with a low content of quaternary ammonium groups. Owing to their easy handling, commercial products, such as Eudragit® E, L or S from the company Röhm, Darmstadt, Germany, are especially suitable. Eudragit® E is a cationic polymer of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and a neutral methacrylic acid ester. Eudragit® L and S are anionic copolymers of methacrylic acid and methacrylic acid methylester. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone is suitable e.g. as a starting material for polymers on a polyvinyl pyrrolidone basis. Polyvinyl alcohol itself is suitable as a starting material for polymers on a polyvinyl alcohol basis. Eudragit® E 100 is a pH-dependent cationic polymer, which dissolves in the gastric juices at an acidic pH value of up to pH 5.0. Above pH 5.0, it is capable of swelling and eminently suitable for coating and masking. In powder form, it is known commercially as Eudragit® EPO. Eudragit® EPO has the advantage that the process can be carried out in an aqueous medium and without organic solvents.

Masking is effected in such a way that the shellac or the polymer is dissolved in an organic solvent optionally adding water, and this solution is sprayed by a spraying process onto the particles which are already encased by the active ingredient. The solvent or solvent mixture is subsequently removed under careful conditions, e.g. in a vacuum.

Suitable organic solvents for dissolution of the polymer are, for example, solvents which are relatively readily volatile. The following table shows a few such solvents by way of example. TABLE 1 dielectricity dielectricity solvent constant × solvent constant methanol 32.6 phenol 9.8 ethanol 24.3 acetone 20.7 isopropanol 18.7 acetic acid 9.7 butanol 17.1 acetic acid anhydride 20.7 benzyl alcohol 13.1 nitromethane 35.9 ethylene glycol 37.7 ethylene diamine 14.2 propylene 35.0 acetic acid cellosolve 16 glycol

The pure solvents or mixtures of such solvents may be used, e.g. an acetone-ethanol mixture (1:1). Very good results are obtained by adding a little water, i.e. about 1 to 5 parts by volume of water to 10 to 50 parts by volume of organic solvent. Acetone-water mixtures (ca. 1:30) are preferred.

Furthermore, aqueous suspensions and solutions may be used. In the example described below, coating is carried out with EUDRAGIT EPO from an aqueous suspension. This has the advantage that in the commercial preparation of a product, no measures to protect against explosion need be taken. In addition, an aqueous process is to be recommended for environmental protection reasons, since no organic solvents reach the environment or have to be extracted in an expensive procedure.

In a final operation, the masked particles are mixed with a feed material of high acceptance, e.g. the yeasts mentioned above, and are pressed into suitable administrable units, such as tablets or feed pellets. By adding artificial or natural aromas, the attractivity of the yeast and other suitable substrates can be substantially increased.

The procedure is carried out in detail as follows: The active ingredient is applied advantageously in a fluidised bed process to the neutral-tasting, physiologically compatible, solid, fine-grained particles and subsequently masked. To do so, a layer of said particles is added to a reaction container having a sieve-like base. A gas, preferably air, is passed through this layer against the force of gravity. The flow speed is chosen such that the layer is whirled up until the individual particles no longer touch and can be held in the suspension, so that a stationary fluidised bed is obtained. In this way, the whole surface of each individual particle is accessible. A precisely measured solution, emulsion or suspension of the active ingredient is sprayed, in the opposite direction to a stream of gas, through a spray nozzle which is usually approximately in the centre of the stationary fluidised bed. In the example which follows, this was carried out by the so-called Wurster process (bottom spray process), since the best results in respect of yield and process time were achieved in this way. However, in principle, any type of fluidised bed process is suitable. Through the whirling action, the particles are moistened with the solution, emulsion or suspension of active ingredient. Subsequently, the supply of active ingredient is stopped and the particles continue to whirl and are dried by the streaming gas. Warmed gas may be used to accelerate the drying procedure. The degree of warming depends on the heat stability of the active ingredient used. The outcome of the drying procedure is that the active ingredient crystallises on the surface of the particles. In a further operation, a solution of the physiologically compatible polymer matrix is sprayed through the spray nozzle, with the result that the particles receive a second coating which thus masks the active ingredient. Drying of the masking layer takes place in the same way as for the active ingredient, in the stream of gas. The end product obtained is the desired, double-coated, free-flowing particles, which do not have a tendency to agglomerate and are mixed according to the invention with an appropriate substrate and in a final step are pressed into tablets or pellets.

The double coating guarantees excellent palatability, meaning the all the senses perceived by the sensory cells for taste and smell in the mouth and nose areas.

The size of the coated particles have been shown to be essential to the invention and crucial to acceptance of the finished product. As already mentioned, surprisingly, they may not exceed a certain minimum size. If relatively small, compact carrier particles of 0.09 to 0.8 mm, preferably 0.15 to 0.4 mm diameter are produced, coated with the active ingredient, then encased with a layer which masks the taste and if these encased particles are then mixed with yeast or another suitable feed material, and the mixture is pressed into tablets or feed pellets, it is observed that these yeast tablets or feed pellets are eaten just as willingly by cats as tablets or pellets without active ingredient, i.e. placebos. Clearly, the cat no longer sniffs out the active ingredient. As has now been discovered, the coated particles must however be of exactly the correct size and have the said double coating, so that only very few of them, or practically none at all, are destroyed when the yeast tablet is crunched and practically no active ingredient is released. As the size of the coated particles increases, the acceptance by cats decreases. Particles with a diameter of 0.15 to 0.4 mm have proved to be ideal. The larger the particles, the more likely it is that some of them will be bitten and more bitter active ingredient will be released. The particles themselves cannot be made too small, as the lower limit is determined by the available manufacturing technology and by the technical efforts that one is prepared to make. These double-coated particles are also significantly better accepted than particles of the same size, in which the active ingredient is homogeneously incorporated, and also significantly better than particles of the same size, which are encased with the active ingredient, but in which a further protective layer is missing.

By attractive, physiologically compatible substrate in connection with the present invention is understood for example the yeast mentioned initially, but also organic material of vegetable or animal origin, which is usually used as a dry feed for the species of animal to be treated, and is either already attractive to the animal to be treated because of its origin, or is made attractive by adding artificial or natural aromatic substances or taste improvers. Suitable aromatic substances or taste improvers are natural or synthetic meat, fish and cheese aromas. Natural or artificial vanilla essence is also eminently suitable. A whole range of such substances is available to the nutrition specialist. These substances are commercial and are used on a large scale in the animal feed industry.

It has now been shown that active substances used in the production of feed pellets and tablets behave in an extremely stable manner if they are used in the form of the masked particles according to the invention. In most cases, a measurable loss of active ingredient is not observed over a period of months.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention include:

-   A animal medicine consisting of a substrate in pellet or tablet     form, which is attractive to livestock and domestic animals, in     which fine-grained particles of a neutral-tasting, physiologically     compatible, solid carrier material are embedded, which is     characterised in that said fine-grained particles of carrier     material have an average diameter of 0.09 to 0.8 mm and are coated     with an active substance for veterinary medicine, and said active     substance layer is encased with a protective layer of a     physiologically compatible polymer matrix. -   The said animal medicine, in which the fine-grained particles of     carrier material have an average diameter of 0.15 to 0.4 mm. -   The said animal medicine, in which the fine-grained particles of     carrier material consist of cellulose, starch, saccharose, lactose     or sugar.     -   The said animal medicine, in which the said physiologically         compatible polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting         of: shellac, a polymer on a cellulose, acrylic acid or         methacrylic acid, maleic acid anhydride, polyvinyl pyrrolidone         and polyvinyl alcohol basis. -   The said animal medicine, in which the substrate which is attractive     to livestock and domestic animals is a dry feed for animals on a     vegetable and/or animal basis, which optionally contains additives,     such as proteins, vitamins, minerals or artificial or natural     aromatics. -   The said animal medicine, in which the substrate which is attractive     to livestock and domestic animals is lysed yeast. -   The said animal medicine, which contains natural and artificial     cheese, meat and fish aromas or flavour enhancers which are known     from the foodstuffs industry or vanilla essence. -   The said animal medicines, which contain as the active substance for     veterinary medicine an active ingredient or mixture of active     ingredients, which are used against external or internal parasites,     viral or bacterial diseases, behavioural disorders or dysfunction or     hypo-activity. -   The said animal medicine, which contains as the active substance for     veterinary medicine an active substance which has an unpleasant     taste for the animal, preferably benazepril. -   A process for the production of one of the said animal medicines,     which is characterised in that

(1) particles with an average diameter of 0.09 to 0.8 mm of a neutral-tasting, physiologically compatible, solid carrier material are coated with an active ingredient or active ingredient for veterinary medicine, so that the active ingredient encases the particles;

(2) this active ingredient casing is coated with a masking protective layer consisting of a physiologically compatible polymer matrix, which prevents direct contact of the active ingredient with the gustatory and olfactory cells and the saliva of the animal.

(3) these double-coated particles are intimately mixed with a substrate which is attractive to the animal; and

(4) the mixture consisting of substrate and double-coated particles is compressed into administrable units of an appropriate size.

-   the said process, which is characterised in that the particles in     stage (1) have an average diameter of 0.15 to 0.4 mm. -   the said process, which is characterised in that the particles in     stage (1) consist of cellulose, starch, saccharose, lactose or     sugar. -   the said process, which is characterised in that the polymer matrix     in stage (2) is selected from the group consisting of: shellac, a     polymer on a cellulose, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, maleic     acid anhydride, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol basis. -   the said process, which is characterised in that the substrate in     stage (3) which is attractive to the animal is a dry feed material     for animals on a vegetable and/or animal basis, which contains     optional additives, such as proteins, vitamins, minerals or     artificial or natural aromatic substances. -   the said process, which is characterised in that the substrate in     stage (3) which is attractive to the animal is lysed yeast. -   the said process, which is characterised in that the substrate in     stage (3) which is attractive to the animal contains natural and     artificial cheese, meat and fish aromas or flavour enhancers which     are known from the foodstuffs industry or vanilla essence. -   the said process, which is characterised in that the active     ingredient or active ingredient mixture for veterinary medicine in     stage (1) is an active ingredient or mixture of active ingredients,     which are used against external or internal parasites, viral or     bacterial diseases, behavioural disorders or dysfunction or     hypo-activity. -   the said process, which is characterised in that, in order to coat     the particles in stage (1), the solid active ingredient or active     ingredient mixture is dissolved in a suitable physiologically     acceptable solvent or solvent mixture, applied to the particles by a     spraying process and, after the spraying procedure, the solvent or     solvent mixture is carefully removed. -   the said process, which is characterised in that, in order to apply     the polymer matrix in stage (2), the shellac or the polymer is     dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent optionally adding     water, and this solution or dispersion is sprayed by a spraying     process onto the particles which are already encased by the active     ingredient. The solvent or solvent mixture is subsequently removed     under careful conditions. -   the usage of the double-coated particles produced in stage (2) for     producing a veterinary medicine preparation.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES

1. Preparation of a Solution of benazepril Weight Composition benazepril HCl (active substance) 2.856 kg Excipients ethanol 96%  8.16 kg water 12.24 kg polyvinyl polypyrrolidone 1.071 kg

Ethanol and water are mixed in a vessel until a homogeneous solution is formed. Benazepril hydrochloride is added to the solvent mixture and stirred for 5 minutes until a clear solution is obtained. Polyvinyl polypyrrolidone is subsequently added and stirred for a further 10 minutes until a clear solution is obtained.

2. Coating of particles with benazepril Excipients Weight Celphere CP 203 ®* 31.15 kg

Celphere® is a commercial product of the company ASAHI, Japan. It consists of round microcrystalline cellulose particles or pellets.

Typical Celphere pellets have the following properties: property/product name CP-102 CP-203 CP-305 CP-507 particle size μm) 106-212 150-300 300-500 500-710 spherical deviation* 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.2 density (g/cm³) 0.87 0.87 0.97 0.97 loss on drying (%) 4 4 4 4 friability in air (%) 0 0 0 0 in water (%) 0 0 0 2 in ethanol (%) 0 0 0 0 water absorption (%) 100 100 100 70 colour and odour white to yellowish odourless solubility insoluble in water, ethanol & other organic solvents *spherical deviation = ratio of the longer to the shorter axis

Celphere pellets are placed in fluidised bed equipment and heated to a product temperature of 35° C. The required amount of active ingredient solution, here: benazepril solution, see point 1 (23.9 kg) is sprayed onto the pellets. After spraying, the pellets are dried at an admission temperature of 55° C. until attaining residual moisture of <4%. The pellets are subsequently sieved through a 0.5 mm sieve. The yield of benazepril pellets is >95%. Outstanding pellets are obtained by coating CP-102, CP-203 and CP-305 or substrate particles, which have the same average diameter.

3. Masking of the Particles Excipients Weight sodium lauryl sulphate  0.75 kg dibutyl sebacate  1.61 kg Eudragit EPO ®* 10.71 kg Syloid 244 FP ®  4.28 kg water 89.75 kg Aerosil 200 ®  0.26 kg

Eudragit® is a commercial product of the company Röhm, Germany. It consists of butyl methacrylate-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)methacrylate-methylmethacrylate copolymer (1:2:1). Syloid 244 FP® is a precipitated silicon dioxide, which is obtainable from the company Grace GmbH, in Worms, Germany. Aerosil 200® is colloidal silicon dioxide from the company Degussa in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Sodium lauryl sulphate and dibutyl sebacate are dissolved in 89.75 kg of water. Subsequently, the Eudragit EPO® is added to the solution and carefully stirred for at least 3 hours until a homogeneous suspension is obtained. Syloid 244 FP® is added and the mixture is stirred until a homogeneous suspension is produced. In order to remove larger particles from the suspension, the solution is sieved through a 1.0 mm sieve before coating the active ingredient pellet. During the entire coating process, the spray suspension is carefully stirred, so that no particles can settle in the vessel. Then, 35 kg of active ingredient pellets are filled into the fluidised bed equipment and heated to a product temperature of 28° C. The coating suspension is sprayed onto the active ingredient pellets. After spraying, the pellets are dried at an admission temperature of 55° C. until attaining residual moisture of <4%. The pellets are subsequently sifted through a 0.5 mm sieve. The yield of benazepril pellets is >90%. In order to avoid adhesion of the taste-masked pellets during storage, 0.26 kg of Aerosil200® are sifted onto the pellets through a 1.4 mm sieve. The dry mixture is mixed for 10 minutes in a drum mixer.

4. Preparation of yeast tablets with 22.5 kg of taste-masked benazepril pellets Excipients Weight Avicel PH 102 ®  9.0 kg yeast powder (lysed brewer's yeast) 49.5 kg polyvinyl polypyrrolidone  4.5 kg Aerosil 200 ® 0.45 kg vanilla 0.45 kg hydrogenated castor oil  3.6 kg

Avicel PH 102® is a microcrystalline cellulose of the company FMC Corporation in Philadelphia, USA.

The benazepril pellets already prepared (5% active ingredient), as well as Avicel PH 102®, yeast powder, polyvinyl polypyrrolidone, Aerosil® and vanilla are sifted through a 0.75 mm sieve into a drum and mixed for 30 minutes at a speed of 15 rpm. Subsequently, the hydrogenated castor oil is added to the mixture, the whole mixture is sifted through a 0.75 mm sieve and mixed for 15 minutes. This powder mixture is then pressed into tablets.

5. Feeding Test on Cats (Acceptance Test)

10 adult cats are used to test the acceptance of various tablets based on yeast. The procedure takes place as follows: 1. The tablets are offered from the hand. If the cat does not take the tablet within 1 minute, 2. the tablet is placed in the empty feeding bowl. The cat is again allowed 1 minute to eat the tablet. If this does not take place again, it is placed in the cat's mouth and left for another 1 minute. If none of these tests leads to acceptance of the tablet, this is evaluated as non-acceptance. If one of the three above-mentioned offers leads to the cat willingly eating the tablet, this is evaluated as acceptance of the tablet. These tests are repeated over three days.

The maximum palatability of cats is reached with a yeast proportion in the tablet of 50%. For the pure yeast tablets (placebo), this lies at 68% acceptance and for yeast tablets combined with fish aroma it is 60%. By increasing the proportion of yeast and adding vanilla aromas, palatability can be increased to 90%. The combination of yeast with vanilla shows the greatest palatability. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An animal medicine in pellet or tablet form comprising: a substrate, whereby said substrate consists of animal feed; and coated particles whereby said substrate and said coated particles are intimately mixed and whereby said coated particles comprise a carrier material having an average diameter of approximately 0.8 mm or less; an active ingredient casing comprising at least one veterinary active ingredient whereby said active ingredient casing coats said carrier material; and a masking protective layer whereby said masking protective layer coats said active ingredient casing.
 22. The animal medicine of claim 21 whereby said carrier material has an average diameter of approximately 0.09 mm and 0.8 mm.
 23. The animal medicine of claim 21 whereby said carrier material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, starch, saccharose, lactose, and sugar.
 24. The animal medicine of claim 21 whereby said masking protective layer is selected from the group consisting of shellac, a cellulose polymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a methacrylic acid polymer, a maleic acid anhydride polymer, a polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer, a polyvinyl alcohol polymer, or a combination of said polymers.
 25. The animal medicine of claim 21 further comprising one or more additives whereby said additives are selected from the group consisting of proteins, vitamins, minerals, artificial aromatics, and natural aromatics.
 26. The animal medicine of claim 21 whereby said substrate consists of lysed yeast.
 27. The animal medicine of claim 21 whereby said veterinary active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and neurotropic.
 28. The animal medicine of claim 27 whereby said veterinary active ingredient is benazepril.
 29. A method of making an animal medicine comprising coating a carrier material with at least one veterinary active ingredient whereby said carrier material has an average diameter of approximately 0.8 mm or less; coating said at least one veterinary active ingredient with a masking protective layer to form coated particles; intimately mixing said coated particles with a substrate whereby said substrate consists of animal feed; and compressing said intimately mixed coated particles and substrate into tablets or pellets of appropriate size.
 30. The method of claim 29 whereby said carrier material has an average diameter of approximately 0.09 mm to approximately 0.8 mm.
 31. The method of claim 29 whereby said carrier material consists of cellulose, starch, saccharose, lactose or sugar.
 32. The method of claim 29 whereby said masking protective layer is selected from the group consisting of shellac, a cellulose polymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a methacrylic acid polymer, a maleic acid anhydride polymer, a polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer, a polyvinyl alcohol polymer, or a combination of said polymers.
 33. The method of claim 29 further comprising adding one or more additive to said intimately mixed coated particles and substrate whereby said additive is selected from the group consisting of proteins, vitamins, minerals, artificial aromatic substances, and natural aromatic substances.
 34. The method of claim 29 whereby said substrate consists of lysed yeast.
 35. The method of claim 29 whereby said veterinary active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and neurotropic.
 36. The method of claim 35 whereby said veterinary active ingredient is benazepril. 